All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

The Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous go back as far as the 1980’s when paddle clubs from around the state would have informal get togethers. Today, it is a multi day paddling and camping event, each year hosted by a different local club in a beautiful area.

There were many guided scheduled paddles, camping activities and social gatherings throughout the long weekend. I was able to participate for two days and one night, and co-lead two trips on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail and on Florida Bay!

.

Welcome to the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous in Flamingo, Florida – at the end of the road inside Everglades National Park!

.

One thing that quickly became apparent was that this was also the site of the 2016 Florida Mosquitoes’ Rendezvous! 😉

.

Who would’ve thunk it that the 2016 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous would be held at the same time and same place as the 2016 Florida Mosquitoes’ Rendezvous!

What are the odds?! 😉

Bear Lake Road is a narrow dirt track leading up to the old Homestead Canal launch. I could see swarms of more mosquitoes outside the windows!Note that the gate to access this road is often locked. You will need to call the Ranger station and inquire ahead of time if you want to launch there!

.

There were many guided Everglades paddles during the Rendezvous. Some of the trails and paths used were pioneered and mapped by contemporary backcountry explorers Keith W. and Terry Helmers, among others at the Everglades Exploration Network (EEN). This site is an excellent resource for all Everglades trips related and we all owe them a debt of gratitude!

My part was to co-lead a trip on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail along with Miami’s Esther Luft of the Virginia Key Outdoor Center (VKOC). Due to the multitudes of mosquitoes we had a small turnout, but a great time nonetheless – even if we had to paddle in bug jackets the whole time!

.

So what happens when you get to the put-in and one of your paddlers locks himself outside of his running vehicle? You call on Esther to find a way to open it up! 😉

.

Bear Lake Canoe Trail details. Note that you can also access this put-in via a short portage from the Buttonwood Canal!CLICK for large readable version!

.

Bear Lake Canoe Trail launch spot and old dock.

.

Paddling on the Homestead Canal dug in the 1920’s.

.

Paddling in bug suits, still smiling for z camera!

.

There are always bugs, and then there are even MORE bugs!

.

The canal is easy straight ahead paddling in chocolate color water. Unfortunately it does NOT smell like chocolate!

Bear Lake is a good sized body of water, and after paddling out about 50 feet into the breeze we were able to unzip the skeeter netting and have a snack. This area is actually very pretty and worth exploring once the South Florida winter cools off a bit more! For more from this region, check out:

Along the edge of the lake, these tiny oysters cling to the long mangrove roots like pearls!

.

Safely zipped up back inside my bug shirt, we paddle back!

.

The Bear Lake Canoe Trail (Homestead Canal) was cleared out for us to enjoy by the volunteer efforts of the Swamp Apes led by Tom Rahill who otherwise hunts down invasive Pythons!

.

There are lots of pretty epiphytes like these Bromeliads all along the trail!

.

Plants that live in the air on the Bear Lake Canoe Trail / Homestead Canal.

.

Old dock at the Bear Lake Canoe Trail put-in on the Homestead Canal.Note that there is no parking here – it is a loading area only! Parking is slightly further back in a clearing along the Buttonwood Canal!

.

Dock signage straight outta the 70’s!

.

Meanwhile back in camp .. Charlie relaxes inside his bug suit and under his distinctive hat!

Then there comes the morning! You are looking at the skeeters OUTSIDE of the tent netting! The one’s inside my tent were massacred previously during the night! 🙂

.

Aerial bird’s-eye view of main camping field at Flamingo, Everglades National Park with the ill-fated Eco Tent. The 2016 Rendezvous site was similar but in the reserved lot area.CLICK for spin-around 360 view!

Aerial view of the Flamingo boat launch ramps in Everglades National Park. This is where most paddlers launch out into Florida Bay!CLICK for superwide interactive panorama!

.

Despite the easterly winds of 15-20 knots, a group of 19 paddlers assembled themselves at the Flamingo boat launch ramps for the last paddle of the 2016 Rendezvous on Florida Bay. I was very glad to have the assistance of paddler Tom Bonnen sweeping up this group of enthusiastic kayakers!

Due to the stiff head wind, we hugged the mangrove shoreline heading east to have a peek out over Snake Bight. The tide was also dropping, so we didn’t have much time. Large parts of this area become exposed mud flats on low tide, especially with a strong east wind!

.

Group heading out in the lee along the shoreline of Florida Bay.This trip was 100% bug-free! 🙂

.

As we rounded Christian Point, we were looking out across Snake Bight into conditions similar to this. Naturally, this was the turn-around point!

.

Hundreds of White Pelicans miles away in the distance over another flats bank in Florida Bay.CLICK for: Welcoming the fall arrival of White Pelicans in Florida Bay!

BIG thanks to Charlie Arazoza, the Bush Paddlers and sponsors, the Florida Paddling Trails Association (FPTA) and all the great people that made this a success. I will look forward to the next Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous!

All rights reserved!

The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

…

I hereby disclaim any sponsorship, endorsement, nor association with any product or service described herein. The photographs, depictions, products, and ideas presented on this site are for informational purposes only. Your results may vary, and I do not imply nor guarantee the effectiveness, suitability, design or operation to adhere to any standard. I assume no legal responsibility for the implementation of anything herein presented! Use any and all information at your own risk! By using any and all information from this website, you accept the final liability for any use or possible associated misuse!

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!

All rights reserved!

…

DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!